I’ve heard about the school being “socially dead”, and I perceived the school that way when I visited on a day other than Triton Day. Are the people friendly? Do people actually get together at parties, events, etc? Are people really there JUST to study? I’m debating between UCSD and Cal Poly SLO, and this was a major concern for me.
of course more happens than just studying but. UCSD is a pretty low key campus for it’s size. La Jolla has been hopping with what appeared to be students every time I’ve been there but, the area adjacent campus is pretty quite, as you observed. SLO is certainly more active right around campus. Football games and infamous fraternity parties sometimes make for nice distraction. It all comes down to what you are looking for from your college experience. You’ve done the legwork, now trust your gut.
@ldr1975 everyone is super friendly, my first year I was able to party three days every weekend and my roommate now still finds time to go out almost every night. it’s 30k college students, the idea that we’re not trying to enjoy ourselves is ridiculous
UCSD is 45% Asian. Are you Asian? If not do you think you would fit in socially with that demographic?
@DoctorP I’ve heard stories of Friday and Saturday nights where you can walk across campus and not see any parties. Is this just false? Does it depend where you are on campus? I got accepted to Warren college, will it be harder to find parties living there?
@Broses no, that’s correct. UCSDPD/residential security is pretty strict about visible parties on campus, they’ll check IDs to make sure the hosts are 21. They’re more relaxed in certain complexes, like The Village and International House, where they know most people are of drinking age.
That said, just because you can’t see the parties doesn’t mean they’re not happening. Every residence on campus is either a suite or an apartment, so there’s a lot of space to hold them. Especially in the Revelle fleets, Muir dorms, ERC res halls and Warren dorms, freshmen are always turning up. The bigger frat parties/ragers are usually at an upperclassman’s house or frat house off campus. People just don’t want to get written up, so campus looks dead on Friday and Saturday. And last, a lot of 21+ students go party and club in downtown or PB because San Diego has the best nightlife on the west coast.
If the one thing holding you back from committing to UCSD is the “socially dead” crap, just send your SIR.
Thank you that was helpful. One more question. I’ve heard UCSD is very Christian and people frown heavily on drug use. Is that true? As a city isn’t San Diego drug heavy?
lol UCSD is Christian campus? We have Christian clubs but… I’ve never gotten the experience of it being a religious campus. I know kids smoke literally right outside of Geisel or on top of it. Lmao. I’ve heard kids on the bus, in PC, or in class talk about going to raves/concerts and getting “lit.” (Make of that what you will)
Even if it is UCSD… lol it’s a college campus.
@Broses yes, that is correct. my roommates and I did not smoke 3-4x a week freshman year. no one has a bong or a dab rig at parties. I did not share edibles with fifteen people to pregame for sun god, and three people in my dorm did not own wax pens or flower vapes. I have never gone to the forest by Revelle or the cliffs across from Muir to do anything other than meditate and pray dozens of times with friends who are not stoners. I never saw anyone do cocaine at parties or casually, and did not drop acid at any point in my undergraduate career. no one uses Ritalin or adderall during finals week either. when people talk about rolling at San Diego raves they’re referring to being possessed by the holy spirit. the only mushrooms the suite across from mine bought were to cook with, and my friend did not try DMT while living in Argo. I heard rumors that weed is legal in California now, though. Can’t confirm, I’ll let you know this Friday